Author: Microsoft Stories

Skype has now launched a program to improve the video chatting application, based on feedback from its most dedicated users. Those who are interested in the program will have early access to the latest features and updates across all platforms, before a wider roll out. Skype Insiders will also be able to contribute to the direction the product goes in, as well as help the Skype team improve the user experience. Planned new features include group video calls, one on one VoIP audio calls, and Emoji.

Microsoft is currently working on the Xbox Scorpio, their next console, which is due to launch in Holiday 2017. Unlike the relatively disappointing PS4 Pro, the Scorpio seems to be a beast of a machine- it was unveiled at E3 as ‘the most powerful console ever made,’ and with a 6TFLOP GPU, it looks like Microsoft will deliver on that vision. Citing insider sources, Windows Central claims that the Scorpio will become the centre for first party game development, for all Microsoft games on Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One.

Microsoft last week announced that it would support the Enterprise Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) through July 2018, a year-and-a-half extension for the anti-exploit utility. At the same time, the Redmond, Company dismissed EMET as a behind-the-times tool, and again urged customers to upgrade to Windows 10, arguing that the new operating system is much more secure than previous editions when supplemented by EMET. Jeffrey Sutherland, a Microsoft principal program manager lead, wrote in a company blog post, “Its effectiveness against modern exploit kits has not been demonstrated, especially in comparison to the many security innovations built into Windows 10.”

Microsoft is aiming to further capitalize on Containers with a set of updates announced for its public cloud platform. Azure Container Service, Microsoft’s cloud-optimized container-hosting offering, now supports orchestration using the Kubernetes open-source platform. On top of that, Microsoft has upgraded the service to use DC/OS 1.8.4, which brings improvements like built-in job scheduling.

According to several retailers, the Xbox One S Controller is making it to India soon while plans for an Xbox One S console launch will materialize next year. While no price has been announced, stores have been told to expect a price between Rs. 4,000 and Rs. 6,000 for the Xbox One S controller. These possibly include Gears of War 4 edition controllers if listings on Microsoft India’s website are to be believed.

As we are about to hit the one-year mark for the Xbox One’s backwards compatibility program, the company has said it’s going to do something to celebrate. Phil Spencer has been hinting that the list of games joining the Backwards Compatibility Program in November is going to make people happy, saying there are a lot of fan favorites on the list.

Technology major Microsoft has officially announced the end of sale for both the Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems. By doing so, it has obviously designated Windows 10 as the primary operating system for Microsoft PCs and devices. For business users and IT departments looking to use Windows OS in the future have no option but to upgrade to Windows 10. In other words, buying a Windows 10 computer means you will be getting not just support for years to come, but also new features and improvements for free.

WeWork built its brand on the hustling energy of small startups, but the company is finding that boring corporate giants may be finally ready to embrace the idea of renting a desk next to a stranger. Microsoft is the latest to sample the co-working craze: It will offer WeWork spaces in New York City to 300 employees during the coming months. The group represents 70% of Microsoft’s marketing and sales teams in the city. The software giant is also moving its 37-person Atlanta-based advertising team into a co-working building. The 41-year-old company is hoping to, “feed off the energy at every WeWork location you feel when you walk in,” said Matt Donovan, General Manager, Office Marketing at Microsoft.

Microsoft has rolled out Windows Insiders with its latest build called Unified Update Platform (UUP). “As we rollout UUP, this will eventually be impactful for PCs where users can expect their download size to decrease by approximately 35% when going from one major update of Windows to another,” said Bill Karagounis, Director of Program Management, Windows Insider Program & OS Fundamentals.

Amazon has a great sale going on for Xbox One titles and here are some of the best deals. Sunset Overdrive is currently available at an 81% discount for ₹799. The offer lasts only till 7th November 2016 i.e. Monday; Forza Horizon 2 is currently available at a 54% discount for ₹1,999; Gears of War is available at a 63% discount for ₹1,119; Destiny: The Taken King Legendary Edition includes the base game, The Dark Below DLC, House of Wolves DLC and The Taken King and is available at a 77% discount for ₹999.